Thank You for Today

So the weather today is making me yearn for fall. I'm desperately awaiting the cider drinking, sweater wearing, donut eating, craft making days that lie ahead. And that's what I was thinking of this morning. The days that are to come. But then I read this. (Whole post here A Holy Experience )

Between the cooking, the cleaning, the diaper changes, the schooling, the farming, the feedings…and the rest of life, well, sometimes I get lost.

And I forget that these days are gifts. Gifts given by a most gracious Father.

And I’m ripping through them, barely stopping to say ‘thanks’, while I’m already thinking about –and worrying about!– the next one.

I know this isn’t His heart. And so I sit quiet in His Word at the start of the day – before the hustle and bustle begins – and I listen. And He offers me grace.

“Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see— how good God is. Blessed are you who run to Him.” (Ps.34:8 MSG).

An invitation for me to join in His goodness, to delight in Him.

And a gentle beckoning : “Show me, Lord, my life’s end and the number of my days;  let me know how fleeting my life is.  You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Everyone is but a breath, even those who seem secure. Surely everyone goes around like a mere phantom; in vain they rush about, heaping up wealth without knowing whose it will finally be. But now, Lord, what do I look for?  My hope is in you.” (Ps. 39:4-7)

My hope is in YOU. My hope doesn’t come from my accomplished to-do list, my perfectly behaved children or the fleeting dream of what those gardens could look like if I ever kept up with all the weeds?

No. My hope – the gift – is Christ. The grace and glory that He shows me each and every day.

“For from Him and through Him and for Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever! Amen.” (Rom.11:36)

To stop worrying about what’s next and to be amazed by what’s right in front of me.

Because His goodness, His grace and His glory – they’re all around.

I just need to keep my eyes open.

Don't get me wrong, I worry about a lot of things. I worry about getting my required courses down for school. Worried about driving. Nobody wants me unsupervised on the roads! I worry about my sisters and their wonderful little boys. And the one who sleeps two rooms away from me. I worry about Grandma and the fact that she hasn't said a coherent word in weeks. The list goes on and on and  I need to constantly remind myself to let go and let God. I need to let go of the worry and wonder on the here and now.

Cherish the pictures of nephew #7 smiling at his mommy and giving her joy. Laugh at the antics of nephews numbers 1-6 and 8 wreaking havoc for their mother and the calm and gentle way she takes care of it. Rejoice in the A's and B's of school. And above all, worship Him in everything. The cooler air of today, the wind making the trees dance and sing. The fact that, even if I can't understand her, Grandma can still make herself laugh. Thank God and cherish today. That is my goal.